Mikel calls for end to racial slurs

Nigeria international, John Obi Mikel, hopes that "everyone will work together" to put an end of the race row threatening the sport of football.

The 25-year-old Chelsea midfielder was talking against the backdrop of his recent involvement in a racial slur which led to his being suspended for three games and fined £60,000 by the English FA.

Mikel also made it clear that the issue of racial abuse in the sport has been in existence "for years."

"It has been there for years and hopefully everyone will work together - the players and the FA - to make sure we try to stop things like that," he said in Japan where the Fifa Club World Cup is ongoing.

The former FC Lyn-Oslo man is "glad" that the race row with English referee, Mark Clattenburg.

Mikel is already to feature in a game in which Clattenburg officiates.

"I think now it is done I am glad it is over. I am sure he is glad it is over as well and the FA is glad it is all put to bed and we can move on from here.

"I think, sure, why not? Everything is put to bed, we move on. If he refereed a game, there would certainly be no problem," said the Super Eagles' midfielder of Clattenburg handling a game he features in.

Mikel had been involved in a race row with Clattenburg in October during the game against Manchester United which Chelsea lost 2-3 at the Stamford Bridge.

Clattenburg was accused of using racial insult on the Nigerian but was later cleared by the English FA while Mikel was punished with a three-match suspension.